What we know about the Australians missing in the Nepal floods

More than forty Australians remain missing after devastating flash floods and landslides struck the Nepal-Tibet border region, according to the latest official figures. As of Saturday, 41 Australians were among nearly 2,500 people reported missing in the disaster, which has affected an estimated 93,000 residents. Rescue operations continue as authorities warn the toll is likely to rise due to the remote and rugged terrain.

The floods struck the Rasuwa district, near the Gyirong border crossing, where multiple tour and pilgrimage groups were traveling. Officials from the Red Cross confirmed that at least 93,000 people have been impacted by the disaster, including 777 foreigners. The Nepali Army and international aid teams are conducting search-and-rescue missions, though poor weather and dangerous conditions have hampered progress.

Fifteen Australians from the Sydney-based Himalayan Glacier Adventures group are missing after their pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, a sacred site for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Bon followers. Among them are Venkatraman Balakrishnan, 52, and his wife Chitra Venkatraman, 46, both from New South Wales. The group also includes the Iyer family—Sreedharan, Lakshmi, and their adult sons Rishab, 23, and Rudhra, 20—who are medical students at the University of Newcastle. The family is connected to the West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook Cricket Club in Sydney’s northwest, which released a statement expressing hope for their safe return.

Shylaja Muralitharan, 42, her husband Chandrasekaran, 47, and their sons Ashwin, 14, and Aarush, 11, are also missing. Shylaja’s sister, Vaishnavi, said contact was lost as the family prepared to cross the Tibet-Nepal border. Sagar Pandey, founder of Himalayan Glacier Adventures, reported losing all contact with his 47-person group and expressed little hope after conducting an aerial survey of the area.

Six Australians are missing from a Kailash Journeys tour group, including Karan Bhardwaj, a 40-year-old Brisbane resident and member of the Royal Australian Air Force. His family has appealed for information, describing him as a devoted father and brother. Another missing Australian, Narayan Panthi of Brisbane, had been volunteering in Kathmandu before traveling toward the border. His cousin, Amrit Bhusal, confirmed ongoing efforts to locate him and thanked supporters for their prayers.

Eleven Australians who were part of an Isha Foundation pilgrimage to Lake Manasarovar are also unaccounted for. The foundation confirmed that 80 pilgrims, including the Australians, were inside an immigration building at Gyirong when the flood hit. Among them is Sumi Adhikari, whose husband, Nava Pandey, has traveled to Nepal to search for her. Bharat Mangwani, 42, was last seen at Gyirong before his group was set to depart for Kathmandu. His family has split efforts between India and Nepal in the search for him.

Australian officials have urged caution and advised families to await confirmed information. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has activated consular support for affected Australians and their families. Rescue operations are ongoing as weather conditions and terrain challenges complicate efforts.

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